The Romance Resonance part -1

I thought about the fiery, passionate relationship of Ashley and Xavier and couldn't even begin to imagine them just co-existing. I thought about how passionate I was about Vincent and his company from the very beginning, and the vibrancy of our in-between times too. Our conversations about the project or arguments. I knew I would never survive in a relationship where everyone co-existed and nobody lived.

I shifted against him and heat traced through my body with all the urgency of a meteor shower.

'Well, I guess this is even better than the perverted dreams I have had these past weeks,' he said as I shut my eyes and moaned as his thumb traced my lips. The stars were forgotten as my nose brushed against his neck, inhaling a mega-dose of pheromones and suddenly my desires went from cosmic to carnal.

I almost forgot!!!

I pushed him away to go back to the monitors. There was a spike in the radiation indexes. There was a tandem.

"No one has ever distracted me away from the stars before."

"I am glad I have the power then" he gave me his smug smile. I tried to fix my hair.

Taylor brought us Chinese takeout.

That's when I blatantly asked him something stupid in a game of truth or dare. I kept asking for truth outta him while he gave me dare to either kiss him or fo something silly. I admitted ashamedly that I like to draw his features in my sketchpad.

"I have heard rumours that you prefer BDSM, is that true?"

"Yes. But I don't like to talk about it."

He said in a grim voice. He seemed angry.

"Why? You like it then you don't have to justify why you like it!"

He was surprised by my viewpoint.

"I am not a prude! I do like the basic stuff, I have read about them okay?? I am not an innocent novice!!"

I defended myself. Becoming loose with my words, Why did I drink that wine when I was so exhausted already.

"Oh, Cassie, you have given me so much anticipation that I might spend tonight taking cold showers thinking about you handcuffed underneath me -"

"Aaahhh! Stop!!! It's your turn!!"

I stuffed my mouth with a dumpling.

"I know you only had one boyfriend before college, tell me about him."

"Heh? Why?"

He raised his eyebrow.

"Okay, His name was Brian Wilson, he was the student council head, most popular from Boston Elite society and he was my best friend Oscar's distant cousin. I dated him for six months because I was naive enough to love him, but he cheated on me and I dumped him. I have had trust issues since then."

"I understand."

I felt exposed under his gaze somehow.

I turned to the monitor again to keep records of the spikes and pattern of rising and falling in the chart and time intervals in between them.

"I was somewhat like that with my first lover. I was too blindsided with her sensuality and ignored her actions. She was older than me and she took me seriously that's why."

He had never revealed anything like that with me before.

I feel a rage building inside of me, he is well experienced in the whole dating department, Hell!! He was named amongst Most eligible bachelor from the whole US!!

And with that, it was probably the best 2 hours I have spent with someone in a while.

We were successful in proving Dr Hoffman's theory the next day.

...

"Dad, I am going out tonight. And I'll stay over at Ashley's overnight."

"Hmm, are you seeing someone, slugger?"

He was looking at me with his wary eyes.

"Yes and no, it is a bit complicated. But I promise I'll tell you later okay?"

He nodded and munched his bacon sandwich. "I am happy you know that you are finally taking some time for yourself."

"Me too dad, I kind of like him but I want to go slow."

"Good. So what's his name?"

"Vincent."

"Wait, that's Mr Grey your boss?"

"Former boss."

I said sternly.

"Wait, you don't want to continue at Grey enterprises?"

"No Dad, corporate business no matter how lucrative it is, I Don't think it's for me. I am going to start my Master's degree soon abroad so I can't continue there. I don't know I have yet to discuss it. I was going to talk about it after the project is launched by GreyX in the market."

I am still feeling uncertain about the whole thing. Why do I feel so nervous about that impending conversation?

"As long as you're happy, my star."

"What's going on with you dad? You seem very busy."

"Yes, as you know I am in the middle of a research with Hugh and his team."

"What about that hiking trip then?"

"Uh, still planning and when the right time..."

"Dad stop. You work too much. Take a break, please. "

"I will. Don't worry. Uhmm no never mind!!" He muttered and left the table.

I sat down to see the progress on the product launch. Hmm, I don't have a name yet for the software.

How about ...

A.T.L.A.S ??

Artificial Intelligence in Language and Semiotics/software.

Attie is your CeCe doing good now? Finally? Is she someone you can be proud of? Am I brave and fearless like you were? My throat closed up.

You know how you think of a memory and a whole dam of memory burst into your mind all at once in a flash and you miss them so much and when you are leaving them you had no idea how precious those moments were until they become a memory. The more beautiful the memory is the more painful it could become. My eyes felt weary in front of the screen as I closed my eyes shut...

Any sort of celebration for me was a nightmare as a kid because I knew Mom will be absent and Attie will smile and compromise yet again...

"Cece!! I spy with my little eye...

A ...sad tree!"

"Sad tree? Where??"

"Hehe, I found the last piece of the puzzle!! I win!!!"

"Okay okay, you win. I'll make us a chocolate cake for Christmas eve."

"I want that tree!"

He points to the corner brown house with a dead conifer tree.

"It looks like a Hanukkah tree. And it is dried up. "

"Cece don't you always say never judge a book by its cover??"

"Okay, my genius. We'll chop it down and decorate it, why do you like it?"

"It's same as a mom. Sad and alone."

"Hey! Mom will be fine. Doctors have told us that."

"They lie!! They keep saying that for four months and still Mom's not well."

"Atlas...I am sorry."

"Cece she kept abandoning you in the parks or school or movie theatres. I HATE MOM!!"

"Atlas... it's not Mom, I have explained what her problem is..' Schi-zo-phrenia '."

"I know!! Does Dad know that she was the one who beat you up last time and not some bully??"

" She did not have her medicine-"

"Cece... I don't want to lose you. You're my best sister/friend. You do more for me than anyone else. You make breakfast and lunch boxes then you tutor me and my friends after school. You cheer for me in my soccer games every time..you don't have to.."

"Of course I do!! I am your sister, and I love to watch my brother ."

He hugged me...

"You're my best friend. "

"Same here. I'll always be there for you. Attie!!"

"Me too."

" So you have to promise me that you won't trouble dad with Mom's problems, Dad is doing his research. "

"Okie- Dokey, but next time when Mom does that crazy anything I'll call the neighbours or police."

"Okay, Big bro."

"Cece Let's go.. we have to complete Dad's present. We need 2 more circuits and more batteries. "

"Yes sir!!!"

"That's an amazing gift. Thank you for the miniature train!!!"

"I am glad you like it Dad!!"

"Thanks, son. You two never cease to amaze me."

"We will become the best scientists!! We will be your competition, Mister!"

Atlas said as his charming face shone like a bright star. He was the star of my family. My 11-year-old genius little brother...

"Wake up!! Cassie!!"

I work up with a jolt as Ash was looking curiously at me.

"You okay? You were crying, Cassie."

"I saw Attie again.. it was Christmas. It was perfect." I rubbed my eyes. It felt so real. My heart was racing.

"Cassie...I am sorry. I don't know what to say. I loved that kid too. But you have to let go, it wasn't your fault. Didn't your therapist tell you that as well? What was her name? Dr Seong."

"Don't worry I'll be fine. I always make it through right?"

"You have not met Dr Seong for over a year now? How could you do that!! Cassie I just don't want to see you suffer like the last time again. Please meet her once in a while." She hugged me. Ashley has a nice floral scent on her.

"It's just every time I meet her I cry. I get sad. Or confused and I start to psychoanalyze everything. I don't want to do that anymore. I want to live without a care for the first time."

I finally confessed.

"I understand. Good. Then go have fun with Vincent Grey tonight."

"Yes... I will."

Ashley ended up choosing my outfit. She also suggested me to wear Lace underwear but I said No. They just don't seem comfortable at all... The nerdy underwear is comfy and I wore them instead. I wore an emerald green, cowl neck, spaghetti strap slip dress paired with a brown coat jacket.

I wore my black strappy heels and a circular handbag lent by Ash. She seems way more excited about this than I am.

With my makeup done I stepped out of my house as he arrived. Dad was not at home. He will be working late and Ash is going back to her place with Xavier. I grab a spare key and meet him halfway on the curb.

"You look stunning."

"Thank you, so do you."